What is the difference between capable and able

Original Post. GE Grammar Exchange 2 Guest. But "capable" and "able" are also both attributive adjectives, which means that they may be used before a noun, as in "able," Definition 2. There is no difference in their usage in this respect. A Google search finds, for example, 1, citations for "an able teacher" and 1, citations for "a capable teacher. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gave an able performance as Hawkins, coming across as the "troubled" youth yet not making him too whiny.

However, an able performance in a lackluster script is like being an all-star on a losing team. And even though Open Menu Questions back Recent Hot!

Is "capable of" same meaning as " able to"? English Solved. Hi there, May I ask you please? Thank you in advance. Please log in or register to add a comment. Best answer. Because I didn't apply in time, I won't be able to start college this fall. Dorothy doesn't know what she is doing; she isn't capable of holding the meeting today.

Preiso MmeThomas One is able to start or do something in a general or qualitative sense. One must be able to become capable. Your answer. Your name to display optional :. Email me at this address if my answer is selected or commented on: Email me if my answer is selected or commented on. I'm more interested in the usage when talking about other things, for example in a text I am revising right now: The authors used " Sign up to join this community.

The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Difference in "capable" and "able" Ask Question. Asked 9 years, 4 months ago. Active 5 years, 6 months ago. Viewed 86k times. What is the difference in being physically capable and physically able? When would one choose one over the other? Improve this question. Homer Homer 2 2 gold badges 3 3 silver badges 8 8 bronze badges.

Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Other than that, pick a dictionary, look the two words up. I'm citing Collins: able adj. This means there will be several contexts where either word could be used: Sammy is an able electrician; I would recommend him. However, the definitions also show instances where one word couldn't be exchanged for the other: I have to catch a flight; I won't be able to hold the meeting this afternoon.

Improve this answer. They mean the same thing, but when there's a further qualifier, capable is preferred, whereas able is usually by itself: He is physically able. Community Bot 1. Daniel Daniel There is a difference between being "able to do something" and being "capable of doing something", as the sentence illustrates: Everyone is able to kill, but not everyone is capable of murder.